To make this discovery, researchers at the University of Florida and Union College placed bed bugs in petri dishes with little tents of coloured material. Each bug got 10 minutes to pick a hiding spot, then its preferred colour was recorded. The results showed that the bugs strongly preferred red and black, but avoided colours like green and yellow.

""We originally thought the bed bugs might prefer red because blood is red and that's what they feed on," said Dr. Corraine McNeill, one of the study co-authors. "However, after doing the study, the main reason we think they preferred red colours is because bed bugs themselves appear red, so they go to these harbourages because they want to be with other bed bugs, as they are known to exist in groups."

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So does this mean it's time to redecorate in colours that bedbugs don't like? It's probably too soon for that, says Corraine.

"I always joke with people, 'Make sure you get yellow sheets!' But to be very honest, I think that would be stretching the results a little too much."

What can you do about bed bugs?

Light infestations of bed bugs can usually be dealt with increased hygiene and washing affected clothing and bedding in temperatures greater than 40 degrees C. Protect yourself in areas where you're not sure of hygiene levels with toilet seat covers and frequent hand washing (some experts even advise not sitting down on public transport, although this is impractical for long journeys.) Dr James Logan, a medical entomologist based at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine says:

"It's sensible to take precautions when travelling, like zipping up luggage and storing it off the floor in hotel rooms. Bedbugs are very good piggy backers. And once bedbug numbers have escalated, a professional team of exterminators may need to be called in to use a powerful insecticide."

Bed bug myths you should know:

Bedbugs live in dirty homes

Fact: "Bed bugs will live anywhere they can find a fresh blood supply to feed on," says Dr Logan. They prefer not to be disturbed in their hiding places, but they don't care if their new home is clean or dirty.

Bedbugs smell like sweets

Fact: "A room where there's a heavy infestation can smell a bit like mouldy musty herbs. This is the aroma of their mouldering droppings."

Bedbugs are the size of a pinprick

Fact: The oval shaped insects grow to one centimetre long when they're adults. But they can suck up to seven times their own weight in blood, making them easily visible to the naked human eye.

If you go on holiday, your resident bedbugs will starve to death

Fact: Unfortunately not. Bedbugs can go for up to a year without a meal.

The materials in this web site are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor. The web site does not have answers to all problems. Answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone. If you notice medical symptoms or feel ill, you should consult your doctor - for further information see our Terms and conditions.

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